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UN celebrates birthday in Brussels

The United Nations celebrates its 68th birthday on Grand Place in Brussels Sunday 20 October from 11 am to 5 pm.

The team from the 26 offices of the UN in Brussels. lead the celebrations of UN Day, which include a photo exhibiton, music, games and sustainable food.

The official UN Day is actually not 20 October but 24 October when the UN Charter entered into force in 1945.

In his message Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary-General says that the United Nations Day is a chance to recognize how much this “invaluable Organization contributes to peace and common progress.”

“It is a time to reflect on what more we can do to realize our vision for a better world. The fighting in Syria is our biggest security challenge. Millions of people depend on UN humanitarian personnel for life-saving assistance.

UN experts are working hand-in-hand with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons to destroy Syria’s stockpiles.

And we are pushing for a diplomatic solution to end suffering that has gone on far too long,” the Secretary-General says.

UN Day marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. With the ratification of this founding document by the majority of its signatories, including the five permanent members of the Security Council, the United Nations officially came into being.

24 October has been celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. In 1971, the United Nations General Assembly recommended that the day be observed by Member States as a public holiday.

When the Security Council approaches the final stage of negotiation of a draft resolution the text is printed in blue... What's in Blue helps interested UN readers keep up with what might soon be "in blue".

The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.